Phonograph



March 14, 1939. s. G. LANGLEY PHONOGRAFH Filed Oct. 1, 1957 INVENTOR Sam 6. (bizgley TORNEY Patented Mar. 14, 1939 PATENT FFlCE PHONOGRAPH Sam G. Langley, Maplewood, N. J., assignor to Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated, West Orange, N. J., a. corporation of New Jersey Application October 1, 1937, Serial No. 166,768

16 Claims.

My invention relates to phonographs and more particularly to those of a business or commercial type. It is especially concerned with means for detachably coupling the sound transmitting tube and remote control devices to such machines.

In the phonograph thereis provided a sound translating device which engages the surface of a rotating record and moves transversely of the direction of record rotation. The sound trans- 19 lating device is usually adjustable for either recording or reproducing purposes. In recording, it impresses or cuts on the record surface a progressive modulated groove having a depth or lateral deflection in accordance with received 1 5 sound waves. In reproducing, it follows and engages such a modulated groove to create sound waves in accordance with the undulations of the groove. For conveying the sound waves to, or away from, the translating device there is custornarily employed a sound transmitting tube having at its far end a hand-piece adaptedto be held in the hand of the operator and usable as a mouthpiece in recording, or alternatively as an earpiece in reproducing.

There is also provided an operating mechanism which includes broadly the means for performing all the mechanical functions necessary to the use of the phonograph. This mechanism comprises principally the means for effecting and controlling the rotation of the record and the transverse movement of the translating device, but it may also include'means for performing other mechanical functions such, for example, as would be necessary to adjust the translating device to recording or reproducing position. The control means may be of electrical, pneumatic or mechanical form, and/or combinations of these, these means being connected by wiring, tubing or other elongated flexible means to a a remote control device usually mounted on the aforesaid hand-piece of the transmitting tube so as to be easily accessible for operation by the operator. 7

The transmitting tube very desirably swivels relative to the main portion of the machine and is of considerable length to provide a reasonable degree of freedom to the operator. Because of such length it must have a fairly large crosssectional area in order to provide a sound duct .30 that will efficiently convey the sound Waves.

Also within or along the sound duct there is usually carried the means for connecting the control device to the control means Within the main portion of the machine. These various factors require the transmitting tube to have such size and weight proportions as to encumber the portability of the machine and to detract from its appearance. It is, therefore, very desirable to have the transmitting tube and the means connecting any remote control device to 5 the operating mechanism, which means may be separate from or carried by the tube, easily detachable from the main portion of the machine.

It is an object of my invention to provide such improved means as will permit a quick and easy 10 detachment of the sound transmitting tube and the control device from the machine.

It is another object to provide improvements for a commercial phonograph which facilitate its portability and enhance its appearance without sacrificing its ease of operation,

It is another object to provide improvements in a commercial phonograph which comprise means for detachably coupling the sound transmitting tube and control device to the main portion of the machine so as to permit a smaller cabinet for such main portion.

It is another object to provide a unitary structure for detachably and swivellingly coupling the sound transmitting tube and remote control device to the main portion of the machine, the coupling being unaffected by the swivelling movement.

It is a still further object to provide means for detachably and swivellingly coupling the sound transmitting tube andremote; control device to the main portion of the machine, such means being simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and free from undue strains on any or all of the associated parts.

Other and allied objects will more fully appear from the following description and the appended claims.

In the description of my invention reference is had to the accompanying drawing, of which:

Figure l is an elevational view, partially in section, of a portion of a conventional phonograph showing my invention as applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the detachable portion of my coupling unit; 5

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the stationary portion of my coupling unit;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the detachable portion of my coupling unit in which a bottom part is removed to show theconnections made within the unit;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional detailed view, taken along the line 55 of Figure 4, of a portion of my coupling unit;

Figure 6 is an elevational view of a modified form of the coupling unit according to my invention with a portion broken away to show interior parts in cross-section;

Figure 7 is a top plan view, partly in section,

In Figure 1 there is shown in addition to my invention such principal parts of a conventional phonograph as are sufficient to demonstrate the application of my invention thereto. These parts comprise a mandrel I rotatably mounted on a base or frame B and carrying removably a cylindrical phonograph record A for rotation in the direction of arrow 0. The frame B supports through suitable standards the principal parts of the machine and isordinarily encased within a suitable cabinet (not shown). A standard 2 secured to or integral with frame B has a bearing for supporting the shaft of mandrel I. Spaced standards, one of which shown as 5, are also secured to base B and serve to support the longitudinal rods 4 and 44'. Carried slidably upon the rods and 4 is a carriage 6 which has an arm I held pivotally thereto by a pivot 8. The arm I is normally biased in a leftwise direction by a spring? which is disposed about a guide rod 9' secured to carriage 6. The arm 1 carries a feed nut 9 adapted to engage a feed screw i, this screw being rotatably held in spaced standards, one of which is 5. Suitable gearing (not shown) couples the feed screw ID to mandrel I to effect thereby, as feed nut 9 engages feed screw it, a

' transverse movement of carriage 6 with respect to mandrel I. The engagement offeed nut 9 to feed screw I8 is controlled by a control lever II which is coupled to arm 1 by means not herein necessary to be described.

The carriage 6 carries a translating device I2 which is adjustable by control lever I I to a neutral position or to positions for either recording or reproducing purposes. In recording position a stylus I3 is brought into engagement with record A; in reproducing position a stylus I4 engages record A. The translating device I2 is substan tially circular in cross-section and is provided with a lug portion 23 extending downwardly from the main portion thereof. It is retained, as by set screws 25, in a suitable recess 23 provided in the foremost part of carriage 6, but projects slightly above the carriage as shown at 22, the projecting portion being circular in crosssection except for the lug portion 23'. The translating device I2 is common to the art and need be no more fully described than by the statement that it comprises means, when in recording position, for receiving sound Waves and imparting a movement undulating in accordance with those waves to stylus I3, and, when in reproducing position, for creating sound waves in accordance with the undulating movement imparted to stylus I4 by its engagement with a progressive modulated groove on record A. These sound waves are conveyed to, and away from, the translating device #2 by a tubular element I5 which comprises a part thereof. Coupled to the tubular element I5 is a sound transmitting tube I6 which carries at its far end a hand-piece I'I adapted to receive sound waves from the vicinity of the speakers mouth during recording, or alternatively to be used as an earpiece during reproducing. This transmitting tube I6 conveys the sound waves between the hand-piece I I and translating device I2. It is for reasons already mentioned that it is very desirable to have the transmitting'tube I6 detachably coupled to the translating device I2 so that it may be easily removed at the will of the operator. 7 ticularly concerned with means for detachably coupling to the main portion of the machine the sound transmitting tube I6 and, simultaneously therewith, other associated apparatus hereinafter described. It is an added feature of my invention to have this coupling swivelling in a manner to retain all necessary couplings throughout the swivelling movement, and yet to permit ready detachment of all coupled parts.

As hereinbefore mentioned the phonograph comprises an operating mechanism, a principal part of which is a rotative source of power usually comprising an electric motor. The motor is mechanically connected to mandrel I to eifect a rotation thereof, the connection usually comprising a suitable electromagnetic clutch such, for example, as is illustrated in U. S. Patent No. 1,380,486. The motor and clutch are purely schematically represented in Figure 1 as the mechanism D, this being located in the main portion of the machine and adapted to be controlled readily by the dictator through the provision of a control device I8 mounted on the hand-piece II. This control device I8 is connected by means extending within or along the transmitting tube I6 to mechanism D. The control device IB comprises a manually operable electric switch of the single pole two-way type. It has a base portion 3| which is integral with the hand-piece I I, and a relatively movable portion 32 secured to the hand-piece as by pivot 3!. This portion 32 is biased upwardly by a suitable spring (not shown) and carries a switch contact point 32' which engages the contact points, 33 and 33', which are held resiliently to the hand-piece I I. In the upward position of the movable portion 32, contact point 32 engages with contact point 33; in the lower position of the movable portion 32 contact point 32' engages contact'point 33'. Electrical conductors disposed in cable I9 make connections respectively to the contact points 32', 33 and 33' of the control device I8, and extend along and within the transmitting tube I6 to the coupling unit with which my invention is especially concerned' Within the coupling unit the conductors of cable I9 make connections respectively to the conductors of cable I9, which cable passes over rod 4 and extends onwardly to mechanism D wherein the respective conductors make connection to circuits of the mechanism for controlling its operation by the manipulation of con- My invention is partrol device I8. Although I illustrate herein a single electrical control means for controlling the mandrel rotation, I intend no unnecessary limitation of my invention to control means which are electrical; neither do I intend my invention to be limited to the mere control of mandrel rotation, or to the employment of a single control means, as I may obviously employ multiple circuits coupling a control device, or devices, manually or otherwise operable, to various mechanisms located within the main portion of the machine. However, for illustrating my invention I show a coupling unit which detachably and swivellingly couples the sound transmitting tube I6 to the translating device I2, and which also detachably couplesthe control device I8 to mechanism D. A preferred embodiment of my invention as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, is now described in detail. For illustrating my invention, the coupling unit is shown as comprising two parts: a first part which is held stationary with respect to the translating device I2, and a second part which is swivellingly movable relative to the first part and to which is secured the tube I6. The coupling is preferably so arranged that the parts, after being set in place, form with each other an annular enclosure. v I

The first part of the coupling comprises the cylindrically shaped ring 2| which fits about the projecting part 22 of the translating device I2, it being suitably cut away at 22 to clear the lug 23. It has an outwardly extending boss 24 in one portion of its periphery. Extending downwardly from this boss is a pin 25 which engages a hole 25' provided in carriage 6. When the ring 2| is placed in position so as to cover the projecting portion 22' of the translating device I2, with the 25 engaged in the hole 25', the ring is secure against all except possible upward movement. Within the ring 2| is an annular block 21 made of suitable insulating material and held therein in any suitable manner as, for example, by a pressed fit. Within the block.2'| are embedded spaced members or collector rings 28, 29 and 30, made of conductive material and concentrically disposed so as to be insulated-1y held from each other. Connected respectively to the collector rings are the conductors comprised in the cable #3. which cable extends outwardly from the ring 2! by way of an aperture 24' provided in the boss 24. The cable I9 is carried in a flexible tube 40 held in the aperture 24' by a set screw 4|.

The second part of my coupling unit is swivellingly movable with respect to, and detachable from, the aforementioned stationary part. It comprises an inverted cup member 34 having a central interior tubular element 35, and an exterior tubular element 36 communicating with the tubular element 35, the element 35 extending angularly away from the top 31 of the inverted cup member 34. The interior tubular element 35 fits telescopically over the tubular element I of the translating device I2, and acts as a bearing therewith for the swivelling movement of cup member 34. The interior tubular element 35 thus forms with the tubular element I5 a sound duct for sound transmission therebetween. Attached to the exterior tubular element 36, as by set screw 38, is the transmitting tube I6 having at its outer end the hand-piece I1. Thus a continuous sound duct is formed between the hand-piece I1 and the translating device I2.

The member 34 is permitted to swivel with respect to the tubular element I5 of the translating device I2. It may be retained thereto by means of a single pin 20 secured to the member 34 and adapted to engage a segmental groove 20 on the tubular element I5. When the member 34 is in its proper mechanical relationship with the tubular element I5 its outside wall 39 rests slidably upon the rim of ring'2l, thereby retaining ring 2| against upward movement. Impingemerit of the inner end portion of pin 20 upon the extremities of the segmental groove 20 appropriately limits the are through which the movable part, or member 34, of the coupling unit swivels.

The pin 2!] is held slidably within a sleeve member 42 which has a reduced diameter over its inner end portion 42', which portion fits tightly into an aperture 43 of the interior tubular element 35 of member 34. The pin 20' extends slidably' through a cylindrical cup member 44 which is threaded through the outside wall 39 of member 34 until it inwardly. The pin 20 may be moved outwardly,

as would be necessary in the assembly or disassembly of the coupling unit, by manually operable means comprising, for example, a knob secured to" its outer end.

Within the inverted cup member 34, between its interior tubular element 35 and outside wall 39, is disposed an annular block 48 made of suitable insulating material. Secured to this block 48, as by suitable screws, are springs 28, 23 and 30', which carry at their outer ends pin members 28', 29" and 3E)". The conductors of cable I9, already described, extend through the aperture 48 of block 48 and connect respectively to the springs 28', 28 and 3B. The pin members 28", 29" and 3B" are guided by extending through suitable apertures of a ring-shaped insulating plate 49 held to block 48, as by screws 50, and are respectively adapted to slidably engage collector rings 28, 23 and 30 to make electrical connections therewith. These electrical connections couple the respective conductors of cable I9 to the respective conductors of cable I9. This coupling is disposed around and along the sound duct formed by the telescoping of tubular element I5 with the interior tubular element 35. It is effected with the attachment of the removable cup member 34, as already described, and is retained throughout the swivelling movement of this member. By this arrangement it is obvious that control device I8 is coupled to mechanism D in response to, or as an incident. of, coupling transmitting tube I6 to translating device I2; likewise, control device It is detached from mechanism D in response to, or as an incident of, detaching transmitting tube I5 from translating device I 2.

A modified form of my invention as illustrated in. Figures 6 to 9 inclusive is now described. In this modified form there is employed the ring 2| and inverted cup member 34 of my preferred form. The ring 2| again comprises the stationary part of the coupling unit and carries an annular block 5! made of suitable insulating material held therein in a suitable manner as by a pressed fit. The block 5| carries mutually similar spaced members or collector rings 52, 53 and 54 coaxially disposed to the ring 2| and insulatedly held from one another. Connected respectively to the collector rings 52, 53 and 54 are the conductors comprised in the cable I9; which cable extends outwardly through the aperture 24 of boss 24 as has been described.

The second part of this modified form is again swivellingly movable and detachable with respect to the tubular element I5 and the aforementioned stationary parts. member 34 into which, between the tubular element I5 and the outside wall 39, is disposed a tubular member 55 made of suitable insulating material. This tubular member 55 has a flanged portion 55' near its upper end. Extending radially through the portion 55 is an aperture 55 adapted to receive a screw 51- threaded through the outside wall 39 of cup member 34' so as to retain the tubular member 55 in its proper mechanical relation to member 34. The tubular It comprises the inverted cup member 55 has longitudinal slots 58, 59 and 60 from its flanged end 55' almost to the other end 55, these slots extending outwardly partially through the flanged portion 55. The member 55 has other longitudinal slots 58, 59 and E0 cut respectively in the outside of the flanged portion 55' in radial alignment to the slots 58, 5% and 60. These slots are disposed in equal space relationship about the periphery of the tubular member Secured to the tubular member 55, as by screws (not shown), within the smaller slots 58, 593 and Gil are the respective conductive springs ii i, 62 and 63. These springs extend into the slots 58, 59 and 6d, and downwardly therethrough, so as to slidably engage the respective collector rings 52, 53 and Ed for making electrical connection thereto. These connections are made with the attachment of the removable cup member 3 and are maintained throughout the swivelling movement of this member. Connected respectively to the springs 6!, 62 and 63 are electrical conductors. These conductors are comprised in the cable l9 and extend through the aperture 38 and onwardly into the transmitting tube to make connection to the control device [8, as has been described. Thus, in response to the coupling of the transmitting tube I6 to the translating device l2, control device i8 is coupled to mechanism D.

The screw 5? which retains the tubular member 55 in its proper position comprises the body of a plunger construction for retaining the cup member 34 to the tubular element l5. This screw has a hollow portion extending from its inward end in which is carried a ball 5'! biased outwardly by means of a spring 57" disposed within the hollow portion. The ball, which is restricted in its outward movement by a peening of the innor end of the screw 51, engages the annular groove it of the tubular element i5 to retain "wivellingly the cup member 34 to the tubular element E5 of the translating device I2. Although the engagement of the ball 51 with the groove 2o" serves to retain the removable portion of my coupling unit sufficiently well against possible detachment in normal use, it is obvious that the removable portion is detachable by the mere exertion of an upward force thereon. It s also to be understood that when the cup member-3e is retained in its proper mechanical relati-onship to the tubular element IS, the wall 39 of member 34 rests slidably upon the rim of the ring 25, thereby preventing it against possible upward movement.

I have herein disclosed my invention in terms of two specific embodiments, but it will be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of my invention and not limitative thereof. Although the forms of mechanism shown and described serve admirably to fulfill the objects primarily stated, the same may be fulfilled in various other forms without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is of course obvious that there may be many modifications in the construction and arrangement of the embodiments herein shown. I have, for example, illustrated my invention as comprising a detachable portion carrying spring contacting members, and a stationary portion carrying collector rings; but I may reverse this order so that the detachable portion carries the collector rings, and the stationary portion carries the spring contacting members. Such modifications and other forms will not necessarily constitute a departure from the true scope of my invention, which I undertake to express in the following claims.

- I claim:

1. In a phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube, and a control device mounted on said tube for controlling said mechanism: the combination of means for acoustically coupling said tube to said translating-device; means comprising two connectable portions for coupling said' control device with said operating mechanism; and means, joining said two connectable portions with said tube and translating device respectively, for effecting the coupling of said control device with said operatingmechanism as said tube is acoustically coupled to said translating device.

2. In a phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube communicating with said translating device and having a junction point therebetween, and a control device mounted on said tube and connected with said operating mechanism for controlling the mechanism: the combinationofmeans for detaching said transmitting tube from said translating device at said junction point; means comprising two portions separable from each other for disconnecting said control-device from said operating mechanism; and means, joining said two separable portions with said tube and translating respectively, for effecting the disconnection of said control device from said operating mechanism as said transmitting tube is detached from said translating device.

3. In a phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube, and a control device mounted on said tube for controlling said mechanism: the combination of two connectable and relatively swivellable members for acoustically coupling said tube with said translating device; means comprising two connectable portions for coupling said control device with said operating mechanism; and means, joining said two portions with said two members respectively, for rendering said control device coupled with said operating mechanism throughout the relative swivelling movement of said two members when said. transmitting tube is coupled With said translating device.

4. In a. phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube, and'a control device mounted on said tube for controlling said mechanism: the combination of two connectable and relatively swivellable members for acoustically coupling said tube with said translating device; means comprising two connectable portions for coupling said control device with said operating mechanism; and means, joining said two portions with said two members respectively, for causing the disconnection of said control device from said operating mechanism as said two members are separated for detaching said tube from said translating device.

5. In a phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube, and a control device mounted on said tube for controlling said mechanism: the combination of two connectable and relatively swivellable members for acoustically coupling said tube with said translating device; and means comprising two connectable portions carried by said two members respectively, for rendering said control device coupled with said operating mechanism throughout the. relative swivelling movement .of said two members when said two membars are connected with one another for coupling means comprising two connectable portions, car- .ried by and disposed concentricallywith said tube and translating device respectively, for coupling said control device with said operating mechanism incidental to the act of. coupling said I transmitting tube with said translating device.

7.. In a. phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube communicating with said translating device and having a junction point therebetween, and a control device mounted on said tube and connected with said operating mechanism for controlling the mechanism: the combination of means for detaching said transmitting tube from said translating device at said junction point; and means comprising two separable portions. disposed at said junction point and carried by said tube and translating device respectively, for disconnecting said control device from said operating mechanism incidental to the act of detaching said transmitting tube from said translating device.

8. In a phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube, and a control device mounted on said tube for controlling said mechanism: the combination of means coupling said tube with said translating device and forming a sound duct therebetween, portions of said means forming with said translating device an annular enclosure surrounding said duct; and connectable means disposed in said enclosure for coupling said control device with said operating mechanism as an incident of the coupling of said tube with said translating device.

9. In a phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube, and a control device mounted on said tube for controlling said mechanism: the combination of means for acoustically coupling said tube with said translating device, comprising a part in fixed relationship to said translating device and a relatively swivellable part, said second part having an interior tubular element engaging said translating device; and means comprising two connectable portions disposed in fixed relation to said first and second parts respectively, for swivellingly coupling said control device with said operating mechanism when said transmitting tube is acoustically coupled to said translating device.

10. In a phonograph comprising an operating mechanism adapted to be electrically controlled, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube, and a switch device mounted on said tube for controlling said mechanism: The combination of means coupling said tube to said translating device and forming a sound duct therebetween; a plurality of spaced conductive members surrounding said sound duct and connected with said operating mechanism; and a plurality of resiliently held brushes connected with said switch device and adapted to engage said conductive members respectively, for coupling said switch device with said operating mechanism while said transmitting tube is coupled with said translating device.

11. In av phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube, and a switch device mounted on said tube for controlling said mechanism: the combination of means swivellingly coupling said tube to said translating device and forming a sound, duct therebetween; and means for coupling said switch device withsaid mechanism as an incident of the coupling of said tube to said translating device, comprising collector rings concentrically disposed about said sound duct and resiliently held brushes adapted to slidably en gage said collector rings for continuous electrical connection therewith throughout the relative swivelling movement of said tube with said trans lating device.

12. In a phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube, and a switch device mounted on said tube for controlling said mechanism: the combination of means swivellingly coupling said tube to said translating device and forming a sound duct therebetween; a plurality of collector rings coaxially disposed about said sound duct and connected with said operating mechanism; and a plurality of resiliently held brushes connected with said switch device and adapted to slidably engage said collector rings respectively for coupling said switch device with said operating mechanism while said transmitting tube is coupled to said translating device.

13. In a phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube, and a switch device mounted on said tube for controlling said mechanism: the combination of means for swivellingly and acoustically coupling said tube to said translating device; means for limiting the degree of said swivelling movement; and connectable means for electrically coupling said switch device with said operating mechanism as an incident of the coupling of said'transmitting tube to said translating device, comprising spaced conductive members and resiliently held brushes slidably contacting said members respectively for electrical connection therewith throughout the range of said swivelling movement.

14. In a phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube, and a control device mounted on said tube for controlling said mechanism: the combination of a tubular element on said translating device communicating therewith; a coupling member carried at one end of said transmitting tube for telescopically engaging said tubular element; and means, comprising two connectable portions respectively carried by said translating device and said coupling member, for coupling said control device with said operating mechanism incidental to the act of telescopically engaging said coupling member with said tubular element.

15. In a phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube, and a control device mounted on said tube for controlling said mechanism: the combination of a tubular element secured to said translating device and forming a sound duct thereto; a coupling member secured to said tube having a tubular element adapted to telescopically engage said first tubular element; one of said tubular elements being provided with a transverse groove; securing means on the other of said tubular elements biased to engage said groove for retaining said coupling member swivellingly to said translating device; and means, comprising two connectable portions respectively carried by said coupling member and said translating device, adapted to couple said control device with operating mechanism as the respective tubular elements of said translating device and coupling member are brought into telescopic engagement with one another.

16. In 'a'phonograph comprising an operating mechanism, a sound translating device, a sound transmitting tube, and a control device mounted on said tube for controlling said mechanism: the combination of a tubular element secured to said translating device and forming a sound duct thereto, said element being provided with a transverse groove on the outer surface thereof; a coupling member secured to said tube having a tubular portion adapted to telescopically engage said tubular element; securing means on said coupling member biased inwardly to engage said groove for retaining said member swivellingly to said tubular element; and means, comprising two connectable portions respectively carried by said coupling member and said translating device, adapted to couple said control device with said operating mechanism as the tubular portion of said coupling member is brought into telescopic engagement with the tubular element of said translating device.

SAM G. LANGLEY. 

